AUGUST COMPLEX: 970,563 acres and 51 percent containment
North Zone: This section of the August Complex continues to move north of State Route 36 toward Bear Wallow and south toward Forest Glen as well as southwest in the drainages and valleys south of Ruth Lake.
According to today’s update, the North Zone of the August Complex “still has substantial potential for spread in drainages aligned with the winds” and states that firefighters are working to create dozer lines dozer lines to the north and west from Post Mountain/Trinity Pines.
Noting that many residents impacted by the firestorms that forced the evacuation of Ruth and other areas are searching for information about their properties, the update states that structure assessments are ongoing and warns of dangerous conditions such as fallen trees, downed power lines and remaining hot spots in those zones.
“County staff will enter affected areas as soon as it is safe to do so and directly notify owners; your patience is appreciated,” the update states.
Conditions today remain hot and dry and the fire danger remains high with “dry vegetation, drought conditions, very low relative humidity, record temperatures, and potential for additional wind events.”
Today’s update again urged residents to follow evacuation orders to allow firefighters to concentrate their efforts on protecting homes.
West Zone: The August Complex-West Zone burning in neighboring Trinity and Mendocino stands at 123,328 acres with 55 percent containment across its approximately 195 miles of fire line.
Humboldt County evacuation warnings remain the same.
The fire jumped the containment lines north of Zenia during an active night and active structure defense is ongoing in the community as the fire continues to move east and west.
Meanwhile, a red flag warning is in effect until 8 p.m. with stronger afternoon winds expected amid hot and dry conditions firefighters work to “aggressively attack the fire with multiple dozers, engines, and hand crews, while continuing fire operations, building and installing containment lines, and laying hose lines where possible, in addition to assisting the August Complex – North Zone.”